Croatia beat England 2-1 after extra-time in World Cup semi-final

England's midfielder Dele Alli and England's forward Jamie Vardy (R) react at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final football match between Croatia and England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV /

Croatia will play France in the World Cup final after they beat England 2-1 in extra-time on Wednesday thanks to a Mario Mandzukic goal in the second period of extra-time.

Kieran Trippier’s free-kick after five minutes gave England a dream start to the semi-final but Croatia clawed their way back into the match and Ivan Perisic equalised with a 68th-minute volley.

Mandzukic was fastest to react to Perisic’s header and shot past Jordan Pickford in the 109th minute to decide the game in the Luzhniki Stadium and send Croatia into their first ever World Cup final.